Oil and watercolor paintings command top lots at auction
Two uniquely different paintings commanded top lot status during two separate auctions, presented by Cordier Auction in November.
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The month of November saw a stunning oil on canvas of a winter floral scene realize $24,000, and a 19th century album of 60 watercolors of India command $6,500, during two separate auctions at Cordier Auction.
Additional highlights of the Nov. 29 Book and Photography Auction included a first edition of The Outsider & Others by H.P. Lovecraft brought $1,800 after spirited bidding, and a 1953 first issue of Playboy hammered down at $700. A first edition of Vidi Vidii Florentini de Anatome Corporis Humani Libri VII by Guidi Guido (Florence 1509-Pise 1569) published in Venice in 1611, sold for $2,100.
In terms of ephemera, a group of 18 Schutter-Johnson Major League Secrets Cards from the 1930s drew excitement, selling for $4,300 after spirited bidding. An 1889 silver George Washington inaugural centennial medallion designed by Augustus Saint Gaudens (French, 1848-1907) and modeled by Philip Martiny (American, 1858-1927) sold for $2,500 amid heavy interest. One outstanding lot was a template used to prepare two top hats for President Kennedy’s inauguration along with two JFK signatures and related newspaper articles; the grouping brought $1,700 from an earnest collector.
During the Nov. 14-15 auction where the floral oil painting by David Burliuk sold for $24,000, other highlights include a portrait of Grigory Gagarin (1810-1893) that sold for $14,000, an 8.24 ctw diamond pendant ($7,500), and a Chinese Qing rock crystal covered urn sold for $4,500. Prices quoted are hammer prices.
Other highlights on the first day included an 1894 Morgan silver dollar graded PCGS PR64 ($4,500), a Russian silver-gilt cloisonné basket by Petr Fariseev ($2,300), and a set of 15 antique electric star-shaped Christmas lights ($1,200). Another item, a 1780 Pennsylvania Chippendale fall front desk drew competitive bidding from the floor, internet, and phones before hammering to a phone bidder for $4,000. A Gothic Revival tall case clock retailed by J.E. Caldwell hammered down for $4,100. In Asian arts, a Chinese Qing rock crystal covered urn sold for $4,500, and a trio of Chinese famille rose plaques also brought $4,500.
Multiple fine art pieces found heavy interest. Three paintings by Russian-American artist David Burliuk (1882-1967) were offered including The Wizard ($3,400), Couple in Sled ($1,500) and the top lot of the auction, Winter’s Tales ($24,000) which is purported to be the last painting ever completed by Burliuk before his death in 1967 and drew international attention. Also garnering international attention was a Continental School portrait of a young Grigory Grigorievich Gagarin (1810-1893), Russian painter, Major General, and administrator, in his uniform ($14,000). Femme au Jardin by Louis Valtat (French, 1869-1952) brought $6,500 after spirited bidding.
Cordier Auction is presenting a Mega Auction on Jan. 2, and a Consignment Auction on Jan. 9. For more information, visit www.cordierauction.com, email info@cordierauction.com, or call 717-731-8662.
